Greg Monroe among best power forwards available in 2010 NBA draft

Bolstered by an influx of impressive underclassmen, the power forward crop in Thursday’s NBA draft is the deepest available position, according to individuals who grade and assess each of the five spots on the floor.

And among the best in the power forwards category is a familiar name to New Orleanians: former Helen Cox forward Greg Monroe, who left Georgetown after two seasons to enter his name in this week’s selection process.

“Greg is one of the top power forwards available,” said Ryan Blake, the NBA’s scouting director. “We’re going to see this year’s draft all over the place. We don’t know who’s going where, with people believing one guy may be a better fit than someone else and so forth.

“But Monroe is very versatile. He can split the offense a little bit. He’s like a point forward who can shoot from the outside, who can really pass it. He’s not a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete. But he knows how to anticipate. He’s got good lateral foot work. He can fade or play with his back to the basket. He’s very versatile and we think he’s got a good ceiling on him.”

When individuals such as Blake and other draft experts began grading this year’s crop of athletes, power forward stood out as arguably the most solid available spot in the draft.

Time, Blake said, hasn’t altered that thinking.

“It’s the deepest position, and we have a deep, deep draft, ” Blake said. “If you’re going to consider Monroe, (Derrick) Favors (of Georgia Tech), (Ekpe) Udoh (of Baylor), if you consider these guys power forwards. But these are all guys who are going to have play two spots in the league.

“You look at Monroe, you can go big with him because he can run the court. I don’t see him playing three (small forward). But he’ll definitely have to play a couple of positions.”

Some of the top prospects could be considered at other positions, as well. Wake Forest’s Al-Farouq Aminu, for example, is listed at both small and power forward positions, while Favors is ranked as a power forward and center, the same as Udoh.

All of the top-rated power forwards are underclassmen.

In Monroe, 6 feet 11, 247 pounds, the team that drafts him will find an accomplished, well-rounded player despite the fact he has played major college basketball just two years.

“I think as a coach or evaluator, or even a player, you look at your strengths or concerns, ” Blake said. “You always want to strengthen strengths as well as strengthen your concerns while never forgetting about your strengths.

“With Monroe, most people when you look at a postman or power forward, we don’t have that defined position. We don’t have that 7-foot center who only plays with his back to the basket, rebound and block shots. We’ve got guys who are 6-8 playing center. In the league, we’ve sometimes got small ball. And just because you can’t have that physical size to battle a Shaquille O’Neal, you might be able to take him outside or beat him down the court. There are a lot of different variables where you can make an impact on the game.”

One of Monroe’s great strengths comes as a passer. He once had 12 assists in a game for the Hoyas.

Blake said whoever risks a pick on Monroe ““ an expected lottery choice ”“ will be getting a well-polished player who can step in and make an immediate impact.

“He’s got a good upside, ” Blake said. “I think he’s more ready to play than a lot of power forwards. I think his confidence is high. One of the things I really like about the guy is he’s not afraid. He wants to go out and play.

“He’s a guy who has been seen for three years including high school and he’s continued to develop each year. When you look at him, from an evaluator’s standpoint, he’s a guy who’s going to continue to get better.”